The one position on the team I am not excited about in 2013 is catcher. We've seen all these guys play last year and none of them were really that impressive aside from a few flashes of brilliance. I don't think there are any free agents left, so are there any possible trade candidates? Your thoughts.

I'm quite happy with Molina. For the amount we are paying him he is basically a steal that greatly enhances our pitching staff with his exceptional pitch framing. I think some calculations put him as a +7 WAR player, or something to that effect. I'll gladly trade his meager offensive output for his great defense.

Yeah, when I heard the report on MLBTradeRumors that another team had begun talking with Napoli once they hit a snag with Boston I was really hoping it was the Rays, think it would be a good fit -- but probably the Yankees, or just the agent and Boston posturing before they finalize the deal.

There doesn't seem to be anything out there to be had that would be an upgrade to what we have now. Basically the only catcher left is Yorvit(?) Torrealba but he is essentially a younger Jose Molina, but not by much. Unless there is a huge trade in the works that is being kept quiet (which I don't put past the Rays front office) we will probably stand pat and go into the season with the frame machine himself Jose Molina.

Molina has never been a starting catcher. He's never caught more than a hundred games. I think Joe Maddon wanted him to be in a role he was more comfortable with. But we should realistic: there's not going to be a "starter" in the traditional sense. This is the Rays we're talking about. Most likely there will be some kind of platoon with one guy taking a few more starts than the others.

Five guys played in more games than he did last year in the AL. Pretty sure that means he was our starter. He is what he is, which is a really good defensive catcher, great at handling our staff, and a complete professional. Salvador Perez and Matt Wieters were the only two full time catchers that had a better CS%.

While I think this would be what most fans prefer from what I have seen it seems that Molina will be coming out of spring training as the starter with either Lobaton or Gimenez as the backup barring a great spring be either one. Vogt hasn't caught up to MLB pitching and Chirinos can't seem to shake the concussion he suffered. Lobaton is a better catcher but Gimenez can hit better. Should be an interesting spring to say the least.

Reading the Sports Illustrated article on him implies that he was once a catcher prospect then converted to outfielder. Maybe the FO plans on re-examining that decision to plug up what is obviously an organizational hole.